What inspired you to work for The Learning Abroad Co.?
What initially drew me to The Learning Abroad Co. was witnessing how it truly served as a "home abroad" for international students during my early days with the company in Ireland. I was immediately impressed by how the organization created genuine support systems that went far beyond academic arrangements.
What kept me inspired was the company's ethics and team culture. Working alongside many powerful women in leadership positions created a uniquely balanced and diverse work environment. The collaborative rather than vertical management approach was refreshingly innovative at that time. This international and inclusive organizational structure not only fostered creativity but also created a space where everyone could authentically be themselves and have their voices heard and valued.
As both my role and the company itself constantly evolved, I grew to appreciate our increasingly refined approach to international education as a transformative journey rather than just academic tourism. What has remained consistent is the focus on creating unique, customized learning experiences for our students. After years in the field, I valued working with an organization that prioritizes meaningful cultural immersion and builds authentic relationships with both students and partner institutions.
Describe a typical day at work.
My workday at The Learning Abroad Co. is wonderfully dynamic and varies depending on where I am.
Office days involve morning virtual meetings with university partners across time zones—discussing program opportunities, reviewing feedback, and planning exchanges. Midday typically includes collaboration with program managers to ensure smooth operations and address student needs.
Frequent travel is essential—attending international conferences, meeting university partners, and working directly with our on-site teams across global destinations. These trips strengthen partnerships and ensure our programs authentically reflect each location's cultural context.
The unpredictability makes this role exciting. I might shift from negotiating contracts to helping resolve cultural adjustment challenges on the same day. Despite the variety, what remains constant is knowing our work creates transformative experiences for students while building bridges between educational institutions worldwide.
Paella Cooking Class for our students in Valencia
Why do you do what you do?
I work in international education because cross-cultural immersion transforms lives—something I've experienced personally. At The Learning Abroad Co., we guide students through challenging adjustments in unfamiliar environments, which can be stressful and unpredictable.
Yet witnessing their transformation—from nervous newcomers to confident individuals with broadened worldviews—makes every difficult moment worthwhile. Though my role has evolved to focus more on institutions and partners rather than direct student interaction, I maintain a close eye on student experiences and feedback, which continue to drive our program development.
When former students share how their experience abroad changed their life's trajectory, I'm reminded why this work matters. By building educational partnerships worldwide, I contribute to international cooperation in our divided world. Each student becomes an ambassador for cross-cultural understanding when they return home, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond the individual experience. This broader impact on global understanding is ultimately why I do what I do.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is witnessing the remarkable growth in students when they return from their experience abroad compared to when they first arrived. Seeing their increased confidence, broader perspectives, and newfound independence is incredibly fulfilling. That transformation – from sometimes nervous, uncertain students to globally-minded individuals with expanded horizons – reminds me why this work matters.
I also love sharing my local knowledge to create unique, authentic opportunities that go beyond the typical study abroad experience. Using my cultural understanding and connections to design programs that offer students genuine immersion and unexpected discoveries brings me particular joy. There's something special about introducing students to experiences they would never have found in standard programs.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My education in International Relations provides the perfect foundation for my current role, as it gave me a deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics, global systems, and the importance of meaningful exchange across borders. This academic background helps me analyze and navigate the complex relationships between educational institutions in different countries, each with its own academic traditions and regulatory environments.
My personal international background is perhaps my most valuable asset when creating distinctive experiences for our students. Having lived and worked across Italy, Ireland, France, and Spain, I can share authentic local knowledge that goes well beyond what's found in guidebooks or standard programs. This firsthand cultural understanding allows me to design immersive experiences that connect students with the true essence of each destination.
When I collaborate with partner institutions, I use both my formal education and lived international experience to bridge cultural differences and identify mutually beneficial opportunities. My background helps me anticipate potential challenges in international partnerships and develop culturally appropriate solutions before issues arise.
Visiting the City of Arts and Science in Valencia with our students
What challenges do you often face, and how do you overcome them?
My greatest challenge is managing expectations when students or partners have unrealistic ideas about study abroad—either viewing it as an academic utopia or an extended vacation. I address this through transparent communication from the start, honestly discussing both the transformative opportunities and inevitable challenges. Setting realistic expectations early prevents later disappointment.
Another significant challenge is guiding students through cultural shock, which affects everyone differently. Some struggle with daily routines or academic differences, while others face deeper issues with social norms and communication styles. Our approach includes comprehensive pre-departure orientation, ongoing cultural mentorship while abroad, and normalizing the discomfort as an essential part of learning. We help students understand that adjustment challenges aren't failures but valuable components of their international education journey.
What advice would you give your pre-travel self?
If I could go back and give advice to my pre-travel self, I'd say: embrace the uncomfortable moments: they're where the real growth happens. I would tell myself to study and live abroad as much as possible and to start earlier. The sooner you immerse yourself in different cultures, the more they shape your worldview and create a foundation for understanding global perspectives. At the same time, I would advise against falling into the trap of FOMO. Quality experiences in fewer places often prove more transformative than rushing through many destinations just to say you've been there.
I would tell myself that the most valuable travel experiences often come from the unplanned detours, the conversations with locals, and the moments when things don't go according to schedule. I'd emphasize that true cultural understanding requires patience and humility, being willing to make mistakes, laugh at yourself, and approach differences with curiosity rather than judgment.
I would advise myself to learn at least basic phrases in the local language wherever I go. Even just a few words demonstrate respect and open doors that remain closed to those who expect everyone to accommodate them.
I'd also tell my younger self to document experiences more thoughtfully. Not just taking photos of landmarks, but writing down conversations, observations, and how places made me feel. These reflections become invaluable as memories fade.
What makes The Learning Abroad Co. special?
Our greatest strength lies in our substantial on-site presence across our destinations. Unlike organizations that primarily operate remotely or through third-party providers, we maintain robust teams on the ground who are deeply embedded in local communities. This onsite infrastructure is supported by our extensive network of local contacts. These strong local connections, built over years of presence in each destination, allow us to provide immediate, culturally-informed support to students while developing authentic local partnerships that enhance program quality and create unique opportunities not available through other providers.
What makes The Learning Abroad Co. truly special is that everyone working in our organization has personally lived or studied abroad. This firsthand experience means our team doesn't just understand international education; we've lived it. We know exactly what students are experiencing because we've been in their position, navigating new cultures, educational systems, and the personal growth that comes with these challenges.
This combination, team with personal international experience and strong local team,s creates an organization that can truly bridge cultures.
The result is a learning experience that goes far beyond academic tourism. We create immersive environments where students can authentically engage with their host communities while having the security of knowledgeable guides who have walked similar paths themselves.
Celebrating 20 years in business with The Learning Abroad Co. team in Cork, Ireland.
Why should someone choose The Learning Abroad Co. over competitors?
Students and universities should choose The Learning Abroad Co. because our extensive on-the-ground presence creates a fundamentally different international experience. While many competitors operate primarily from headquarters with minimal local staff, we maintain robust teams embedded within each destination community. This isn't just a structural difference; it transforms the quality of the experience we provide.
Our deep local networks, built over years in each location, give students access to opportunities simply unavailable through other providers. From internship placements with local businesses to unique cultural experiences with community organizations, our established relationships open doors that remain closed to organizations that hire seasonal staff or rely on third-party contractors.
We pride ourselves on exceptional flexibility and responsiveness to both student and institutional needs. Unlike larger organizations with rigid program structures, we can adapt quickly to accommodate specific academic requirements, adjust to unexpected circumstances, or create custom solutions for unique learning objectives. This agility comes from our decentralized team structure and deep understanding of local resources.
Transparency with our partners is a cornerstone of our approach. We maintain open communication about program components, costs, challenges, and outcomes—providing universities and students with clear, honest information throughout our relationship. We believe that authentic partnerships require this level of transparency, which builds the trust necessary for long-term collaboration.
Choosing The Learning Abroad Co. means selecting a partner committed to creating authentic international experiences supported by people who truly understand both the student journey and the local environment. The result is an educational experience with depth and impact that extends far beyond what traditionally structured programs can offer.
What is your organization's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our organization's mission is deeply rooted in our commitment to positively impact lives through learning experiences abroad. At The Learning Abroad Co., we are dedicated to offering inclusive, valuable, and culturally authentic international education and career development programs. Our success is driven by a strong commitment to building sustainable relationships within our community, ensuring significant benefits for program participants.
We bring this mission to life through intentional strategies that prioritize inclusivity and authentic learning. We design programs that provide students with transformative experiences that significantly impact their career paths. By connecting academic learning with real-world applications and cultural immersion, we create powerful development opportunities that students can build upon throughout their professional lives. Through ongoing assessment and dialogue with participants, we continuously refine our approach to ensure our programs remain valuable to all students while providing genuine growth experiences that extend well beyond their time abroad.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
We hope participants take away far more than just academic credits or a line on their resume. Above all, we want them to develop a genuine global perspective that changes how they see themselves and their place in the world.
We hope students return with a newfound sense of independence and self-confidence that comes from successfully navigating another culture. There's a distinct transformation that happens when someone realizes they can thrive outside their comfort zone – it fundamentally shifts what they believe is possible for themselves.
Cultural empathy is a crucial takeaway. We want students to develop the ability to understand different perspectives, appreciate alternative approaches to common challenges, and recognize the validity of diverse worldviews. This deeper understanding of cultural nuance helps them become more thoughtful global citizens and more effective professionals.
Perhaps most importantly, we hope participants develop lasting connections – both with the host culture and with fellow students on their program. These relationships often become the most enduring impact of the experience, creating personal and professional networks that span continents and last for decades.
Making our site visits sustainable.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Experiencing new cultures through travel abroad fundamentally shifts our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Perhaps most importantly, it teaches us that we are not the center of the world – a humbling realization that's difficult to truly grasp without immersive international experience.
When we encounter different ways of living, communicating, and problem-solving, we recognize that our own cultural framework is just one of many valid approaches. This perspective shift develops genuine empathy and cultural humility that cannot be achieved through books or videos alone.
International experiences also build practical skills essential in today's interconnected society. Navigating unfamiliar environments develops adaptability, resilience, and creative problem-solving abilities that transfer directly to professional challenges.
For students, especially, these experiences often clarify values and career directions. Removed from familiar surroundings, many discover new interests and possibilities they might never have considered at home, frequently redirecting their life paths in meaningful ways.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language is fundamentally an act of respect. When we make the effort to speak someone else's language, we demonstrate that we value their culture enough to step outside our own comfort zone. This gesture opens doors and transforms relationships.
Languages provide unique insights into cultures that cannot be accessed any other way. The vocabulary, expressions, and grammatical structures of each language reveal how different communities understand and navigate the world. When you learn that Italian has specific terms for different types of family love, or that Japanese has honorifics reflecting social relationships, you're gaining access to cultural frameworks and values that explain how people think and relate to each other.
Even basic language attempts create meaningful connections. A simple "grazie" or "por favor" can transform interactions from transactional to personal, often becoming the starting point for memorable experiences abroad. Through language learning, we gain not just communication skills but the cultural understanding needed to build authentic connections across borders.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel transforms both the traveler and their worldview. For me, it's found in unplanned conversations at neighborhood cafés, navigating public transit mishaps, and the moments when cultural confusion turns into unexpected friendship.
While international flights may sometimes be unavoidable for work or study, embracing local exploration once at your destination offers a more sustainable approach. By using regional trains, buses, or bikes to discover nearby towns and natural areas rather than adding domestic flights or long car journeys, we reduce our environmental impact while often discovering richer, more authentic experiences.
It happens when we trade the safety of tourist bubbles for the messy reality of local rhythms, when we stop photographing landmarks and start noticing how families interact in parks, how elders are treated, or how communities solve problems differently than our own.
These unfiltered experiences create the mental flexibility and human connections that remain valuable long after the passport stamps fade.